Hi Tani! It's Pia. I finally found time to read your story, Obachan. I bought your book from Amazon last year but never had time to read. Enjoy paperback books more, because they lay right on your bookcase waiting for you without having Wi-Fi waiting for you. LOL
I'm only halfway through, really enjoy reading about your grandmother Mitsuko. Took a week - long course of Japanese when I was in college, so I could understand some words ... I was smiling when I read about Kanji characters as I remember learning that was how the Japanese Letters are written. I even have someone write my name in Japanese calligraphy, which can be spelled in two ways! Sadly, couldn't continue that course as Math class got in the way (I was flunk in Math).
In my case, I hardly remember growing up in the Philippines cause I was just a baby before I came to the US with my parents. (I practically grew up in the US. LOL) But my grandma on my mother's side, took care of me and my brother when I was hospitalized. She has a story as well, but I don't think I have the guts to write it all up! I can just sum it all up ... her father (my great grandpa) was one of the fallen guerrillas in the Battle of Bataan. I actually did a college essay on that! And proud because I got an A on that research! There were some American survivors I reached out to! But that was years ago ... bet you they all passed away.
Anyway, hope to hear from you!
Your friend,
Pia